Doll Owner’s Corner: Bjd Events

First of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner (after missing the last few months).  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything I want.

This month’s topic:

Events

The first time some people hear about an event for a doll company or dealer, they may wonder “what is an event?”  The short answer is that it’s a big sale.  We all know what that means when it’s a grocery store or department store.  The prices on some things go down for about a week to get people to come in the door.

The difference is that bjd events tend to last about a month, and sometimes longer.  I’ve seen ones that were extended an extra month.  Giving more time to make your choice.  :)

There are various ways for you to save on dolls during an event.  Some companies will reduce the price by about 10-12% or even more.  That’s how I got both Usagi and Sakura here (in this older photo). 

Mystic Kids was having an event for 10% off all their dolls, so I bought Sakura from the Junky Spot (check out her unboxing).

Doll Family A had an event that included 20% off their msd sized dolls plus a free gift!  So, I ended up ordering Usagi through Alice’s Collections (check out her unboxing).

Events occur throughout the year and usually coincide with holidays and seasons and such. 

For example, Misako was bought at nearly 50% off clearance as part of the Junky Spot’s annual Black Friday sale (check out her unboxing).  Several of my other dolls were purchased during Summer events. 

Other occasions for events include Christmas/Winter, Spring Festival (aka. Chinese New Year), New Year’s, and company anniversaries.

Now, in addition to dolls being “on sale” during events, you do sometimes get freebies with your purchase depending on the company. 

For example, Doll Love regularly has events where their dolls are about 10-15% off with a free face up.  That’s how I got Yuna here (check out her unboxing), with her adorable default face up.

Kids Sky has similar free face up events.  They were having one for Christmas, so I got Momoko (check out her unboxing).

Other things you might get for free are other dolls or doll parts. 

As some of you may remember, Yuki started out as just a floating head I got for free when I bought Usagi (that free gift I mentioned).  Some companies will give you free (or reduced price) jointed hands with a purchase, and some more (relatively) pricier companies will include small sized bjds as a gift.

One fun thing about bjd events is that it isn’t just the doll companies that have them, but also the dealers.  I mentioned before that Junky Spot has their Black Friday sale, but Alice’s Collections regularly has nice events.

For example, I’ve taken advantage several times of events at Alice’s Collections where you can order a pair of their glass dolls eyes for only $1 with qualifying purchases.

And for more fun, Alice’s Collections frequently have events to get cute pet dolls for super low prices with a qualifying purchase.  That’s how I got Shiro.

And the deals can usually be stacked.  For example, if a dealer is having an event where you can buy a cute pet doll for $1 if you buy a SD sized doll, and a particular company on their site is also having an event where you can get a free yosd sized doll with the purchase of a SD sized doll.  Then you can buy your SD doll, get the freebie doll and throw on that cute pet doll.  That’s what I call a great deal.

I’ve mostly been talking about dolls, but all those cute bjd accessories go on sale too.  

I bought all these doll wigs at 10% off with free shipping during an event from Alice’s Collections (man, I buy from them a lot).  They also have similar deals on clothing, usually on new styles.

I got these cute little yosd sized shoes for Sakura and Yuna when they were 10% off, they were shipped for free too.

And that’s just a small sample of the fun of bjd events.  Of course the best part is always after the event has ended.  When your order has shipped, and your package has arrived and is waiting for you to unbox your new doll!

Happy shopping everyone.

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Alice’s Collections Shopping Haul: Doll Clothes, Eyes and a Stand?

This post was suppose to go up several months ago, but I never could get around to it until now.  So pretend it is still March when you read it.

Anna placed a smallish order on the fine online bjd store, Alice’s Collections.  There were just a few items we needed for a few particular purposes.

Within two weeks, the package arrived at our door.  Anna thought this was rather quick, however I would have preferred a speedier delivery.

Anyway, let us see what is inside the box.

First, there is a cleaning sponge included as a gift from the store.  These have been wonderful to have on hand.  Sakura is prone to making a mess of herself and Usagi isn’t much better.

(You’re pretty messy too, Hikaru.)

Now this is wonderous piece, it’s a simple white button-down shirt (also available in black) for Yuki.

A simple, yet classic piece with crisp collar and nicely make cuffs.  It is fairly well made for the rather low price.

It was purchased specifically for Yuki as a present for his birthday next month.  It looks wonderful and hopefully it will look just as fine on him.

And it does, much nicer than his t-shirts in my opinion.  The msd size seems to fit him well enough (Check out the dolls’ profile page for Yuki’s measurements, the shirt is available in several other “sizes”).

Next is something more casual, this pair of pink sneakers.

They were purchased for Usagi for her birthday as well.  I can’t say I particularly like them, but I’m positive Usagi will adore them. 

They are fairly well made though.   With decent topstitching, evenly spaced grommets, and sturdy looking lacings they should hold up well.

And as expected, Usagi is quite happy with them, mostly due to their coloring.

“They are so cute! :)”

They fit quite well, much better than the last pair of shoes purchase for her (see Bjd Unboxing: Doll Family H Body and Shoes?).

Both Usagi and Yuki seem quite content with their gifts.

Now for something wonderful, my new petticoat!

Yes, I have simple be dying to have one of my own for so long.  And because my own birthday is coming soon, Anna added it to her order.

(It’s available in black or white and in SD and Msd size.)

It looks so much fuller in person than on the website, but will it be effective?  Let us see.

Here is my fine skirt without any petticoat.

And now, here it is with my new petticoat.  The difference is almost alarming.

My skirt looks so beautiful and I simply cannot wait to try this with some of my favorite dresses. 

There is, however, a downside to all this new volume.

It certainly takes up a bit of space.

“Oh my, your skirt is so huge, but it’s cute too! :)”

“…what happened?…”

And now an important purchase, a pair of glass doll eyes.

Alice’s Collections was having a special event.  If you purchased certain items you could then purchase a pair of eyes of your choice for only $1, a real bargain of a price.

Not wanting to pass up this deal, Anna purchased a 12mm pair in pink for our small cat doll who was still in need of eyes.

Here is our tiny cat without eyes…

…And here she is now.  She can finally see!

And she keeps staring at me.  Why is see staring at me?

“She thinks your skirt is huge too. :)”

Now the final purchase, a doll stand.

Anna has been eyeing this doll stand for awhile.  She has mentioned many times about the little problem we dolls have with standing still for the camera (See this doll bloopers post).

She is hoping this stand will be of some help.  We shall have to test this idea.  However, that will be for another post.

For now, we will all continue to enjoy our new pieces.

Be at peace my dear readers.

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Of Bjd Fashion: Vintage Style Pink Dress Ensemble for Momoko

After much anticipation, Anna has finally sewn a beautiful new outfit for our newest doll, Momoko.

She made this lovely pink A-line dress.  She was somewhat inspired by some of the delightful fashions found in the magazine, Dolly Bird (see Of Bjd Lifestyle: DollyBird Vol. 12, a Japanese Doll Magazine).

It is simply embellished with lace along the hem and a ribbon tied around the waist.

Anna said she made it using the same pattern as Yuna’s blue dress (see Of Bjd Fashion: Yuna’s First Outfit with Tutorial), just with a different type of skirt.  It’s a circle skirt made using this tutorial.

“Um…That dress is really pretty.”

“Why thank you Yuna.”

To add to this slightly vintage inspired look, Anna made a simple pearl necklace similar to my favorite necklace.

And a simple ribbon head band completes the look (see Of Bjd Fashion: Headbands for Dolls with a Tutorial).

Overall, it’s an outfit that suits our Momoko well.  Anna has done a fine job this time, let’s just hope the quality of her doll sewing further improves in the future.

Be at peace my dear readers.

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Of Bjd Fashion: Birthday Surprise Outfits Part 1 with Raglan Sleeve Top Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

We celebrated Anna’s birthday last Sunday, but today we have two more reasons to celebrate.  It has been well over a year since both Yuna and Sakura have arrived.  To commemorate this fine occasion, Anna has sewn brand new outfits for the both of them.

Matching outfits to be exact.

Don’t they just look darling.  There is an adorable pink lace trimmed skirt with suspender straps for Yuna, and gathered shorts for Sakura also with suspenders (she means puffy shorts). 

The ingenious thing is that the straps can be removed to show off the delightful blouses.

They have raglan style sleeves and are trimmed with lace and ribbon along the neckline.  Anna said they were made from a vintage handkerchief that had scalloped edges. 

Another handy thing about these blouses is the closure on the back.  Makes changing one’s clothing a breeze.

I find these yosd sized tops so delightful that I have convinced Anna to produce a sewing pattern and tutorial for the benefit of all.  Now let the tutorial begin.

Yosd Ball Jointed Doll Raglan Sleeve Top Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Pattern
• Fabric or a handkerchief
• Matching thread
• Basic sewing supplies
• Thin lace
• Thin ribbon
• Snaps or Velcro
• Something to thread ribbon (large needle, small safety pin, etc.)
• Sewing machine is optional
• Some sewing knowledge is helpful

If you are a bit of a beginner with sewing I recommend checking out these two video tutorials, they demonstrate some of the techniques you will need to make these tops:

• Drawstring Tank Tops for Dolls
• Fitted Dresses for Dolls

Here is the pattern, it was designed based on Sakura’s measurements which are listed on the profile page.

First you need to cut the pieces as indicated by the pattern. 

I lined up the bottom of the pattern along the edge of a cute handkerchief, so I could use the pretty scalloped edge instead of hemming the shirt.  This is optional but a great idea.

Now to start making the shirt, you first pin the sleeves to the front piece as shown and sew.  Repeat with the back pieces.

Then you pin and hem along the top edge of the shirt, this is your neckline.

Next is to pin and hem the sleeves.  If you prefer, you can hem the sleeves before sewing them to the front and back pieces.  I would especially recommend it if you are sewing by machine instead of by hand.

Pin together the front and back pieces, and then sew up the sides of the shirt and the sleeves.  It is a good idea to try the shirt on you doll at this step to ensure a good fit.

Now it actually looks like a shirt.  This is the point where you will hem the bottom of the shirt.  Since I used the edge of a handkerchief I get to skip this step.

Now for the fun part, embellishing.  Pin the thin lace along the neckline.  Sew along the top and bottom edge of the lace.  This will used as a casing for your ribbon.

Use the tool of your choice to thread the ribbon under the lace.  Make sure to pin the ribbon at the end to keep it from pulling out.

Pull the ribbon out a bit at the center before threading it through to the other end of the shirt.

You will tie this bit of ribbon in a bow later, so make sure it is long enough.

Now time to take care of the back opening by pinning and hemming the edge.

Repeat on the other end.

Now we just need to sew on the closure of your choice.  Either snaps or small pieces of Velcro.  It is a good idea to try the shirt on your doll at this point to adjust the fit.

All that’s left is to pull the ribbon to gather the neckline and tie it into a cute bow.  Enjoy!

Now that the tutorial is done, let us discuss the other pieces.  Anna didn’t just make matching outfits for these two adorable dolls.

For Yuna, there is this beautiful headband with a wonderful lace bow.  The precious little dear has become quite fond of lace, so this hair piece suits her well.  It is made using the same techniques from Anna’s doll headband tutorial.

“That bow is so cute! It’s as cute as mine, don’t you think?  We match now! Do like it? Do you like mine? Do you like it as much as cake?!”

“….um…”

“Me too!”

For Sakura, there is this felt bag.  Anna made several delightful bags for myself and Usagi some time ago (see Of Bjd Fashion: Felt Doll-sized Purses Tutorial) and a small one for Yuna (see Of Bjd Fashion: Yuna’s First Outfit with Tutorial), so Sakura greatly wished to have one of her very own.  She was so thrilled to receive it.

“It looks just like Usagi’s bag, but the bow is better!  And it fits me, and it’s pink, and…”

Maybe a tad too thrilled.

That is all for today, but do not despair.  There will be more to enjoy tomorrow with another tutorial to complete the charming little outfits. 

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

Give it a try:

• VELCRO® Brand 0.63'' x 30'' Soft &Flexible Sew-On Tape
• Dritz® Sew-On Snaps Nickel-Asst Size 1/0 2/0 4/0
• Dritz Start-to-Sew Kit

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